New provisional rule

NASCAR will limit the number of times a past champion can use a provisional spot to start a race, it was announced Wednesday.
Teams with a champion driver can use only six provisional starts during the course of the season. Previously, teams with a champion driver could use as many provisional spots as they wanted. The eligible driver was given the 43rd and final starting position in the race.
“As NASCAR seeks to place more emphasis on competition, we have decided the time is right to limit the number of provisionals allowed,? said NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. We believe this revision brings the provisional policy in line with the continued growth of the sport.?
This rule could be potentially damaging to Dale Jarrett and his newly formed Toyota team at Michael Waltrip Racing. Jarrett, a former NASCAR Cup champion, was guaranteed a starting spot in every NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race under the old rule.
Now Jarrett and his team are only guaranteed six races to start.